A butcher killed in a machete attack was allegedly hacked to death in his walk-in fridge.

Parvaiz Iqbal, 40, died at his shop while a second staff member, stabbed in the horrific confrontation, remains in a stable condition in hospital.

Mahroof Hussain, a cousin of Mr Iqbal's mother, revealed the halal shop in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, had been busy ahead of the Muslim Eid festival celebrations.

He said: "One of the men got stabbed in the stomach.

"The man with the knife went outside and started smashing up the place. He then ran off, smashing car windows as he went.

"People came in the shop to help. The man ran off into town with a knife. Obviously being a butchers, there were lots of knives there.

"Why it happened, I don't know. I have spoken to people there and everything seemed OK. There was no shouting or arguing.

"Parvaiz was a normal guy, doing his normal business, preparing for a really busy period. I just hope the co-worker recovers.

"Another worker who was upstairs is absolutely devastated. He witnessed it and, with the people who came in, stayed with Parvaiz and tried to help. But they were not successful. The family is devastated. He is married with three kids, one at primary school, one at secondary school and one at college."

Murder: Forensic teams and police at scene (Image: Ben Lack)

After the attack on Tuesday, a suspect was seen running through the streets of Rotherham with a machete. He was later tasered by police.

A 27-year-old, believed to be a Pakistani national who is in the UK on a student visa, was being questioned yesterday on suspicion of murder.

Mr Hussain, a Labour councillor and magistrate, added: "Everybody loved Parvaiz. He would have a laugh with everyone. This has been an extremely muted Eid.

"Morning prayers should have been about celebrating, meeting people, smiling faces. Instead, we were in tears.

"Parvaiz was selling meat and helping people prepare for their most important day but he has suffered a most vicious act.

"Forever more, the family will remember this day not for a celebration but for a tragedy."